Green remodeling can help grow your wallet

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March 29, 2013
| Updated: April 2, 2013 7:05am

This kitchen remodel was done by Breck Powers, CGR, GMB, CAPS, of LBJ Construction. The interior design by Cindy Aplanalp, ASID Allied, with By Design Interiors.

Owners of green homes said in a survey that 85 percent of the time they were happier with their new green home, due in part to the lower operating and maintenance costs that come with energy- and resource-efficient homes.

But for the 120 million existing homes in the United States, remodeling is the only way for homeowners to incorporate green. The Greater Houston Builders Association Remodelers Council offers suggestions to homeowners who want to increase their home's efficiency, decrease costs and take advantage of the benefits that going green offers.

Install maximum insulation in the area to be remodeled. Forty percent of energy consumed in a typical house goes to heating and cooling. Adding insulation is an easy way to increase efficiency. Insulation is rated by its ability to resist heat flow, known as "R-value." The higher the R-value, the better it resists heat flow. Adding insulation will help save energy costs, increase comfort by better controlling temperature, and improve indoor air quality by eliminating gaps through which dirt, dust and other impurities can enter.

Install high-efficiency windows instead of those that just meet the energy code. Ordinary window glass transmits ultraviolet heat rays, which can increase air conditioning bill dramatically. Energy Star windows can help control this. These windows may have two or more panes, warm-edge spacers between the panes, improved framing materials and microscopically thin metal or metallic oxide layers on windows to reduce radiative heat flow.

Seal all exterior penetrations in the area being remodeled. Reduce cold air drafts and heat loss by inspecting your home from the inside and outside and plugging cracks or openings. Be sure to check areas where window frames meet the structure or siding of the house. Use caulking to seal small cracks on non-moving surfaces and weather stripping on windows, doors and other movable parts of the home.

Purchase Energy Star-rated appliances. Energy Star-rated appliances, ranging from dishwashers and refrigerators to computers and televisions, meet strict energy-efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and U.S. Department of Energy. Qualified refrigerators, dishwashers and vent fans incorporate advanced technologies that use 10-50 percent less energy and water than standard models.

Install low-flow plumbing fixtures. In the average home, flushing toilets accounts for some 30 percent of water usage. By using low-flow plumbing fixtures such as toilets, faucet aerators and showerheads, you can save up to 25 percent of that water compared to conventional fixtures while providing the same utility.

Upgrade to an Energy Star-rated or tankless water heater. Tankless water heaters provide hot water on demand at a preset temperature rather than storing it. Replacing an electric water heater with a solar model can reduce costs by up to 80 percent a year. During its 20-year life span, a solar heater will prevent more than 50 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. A low-cost option is to wrap insulation around your heater, which can reduce standby heat losses 25 to 45 percent.

Purchase the highest efficiency HVAC system you can afford. Over a 10-year period, the average homeowner spends more than $10,000 for heating and cooling. Installing high-efficiency Energy Star HVAC equipment can reduce utility costs on average by 10 to 30 percent over minimum efficiency equipment. It can improve home comfort with more heating and cooling and a quieter operation, and often features higher-quality components that result in longer equipment life.